Ceremony planned for Missouri tax-limits champion

JEFFERSON CITY — The Springfield man who led the drive to place limits on Missouri state revenues and local taxes will be inducted next week into the Capitol's Hall of Famous Missourians.

Mel Hancock was a businessman when he authored a Missouri constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1980. Now known as the "Hancock Amendment," it establishes a state revenue limit, bars state government from imposing unfunded mandates on local governments and requires voter approval of local tax increases.

Hancock went on to serve four terms in the U.S. House representing southwestern Missouri. He died in 2011.

An induction ceremony for Hancock will be held on Wednesday in the House chamber of the Capitol.